Study of vitamin C therapy in allergic rhinitis

Abstract

Background: Vitamin C has a therapeutic role in allergic rhinitis by reduction of oxidative stress and inflammation. The present study has been undertaken to evaluate the improvement or otherwise in the clinical manifestations of allergic rhinitis, following supplementation of this vitamin. Methods: 40 subjects of allergic rhinitis were selected from the allergy clinics of Dayanand medical college and hospital. The study period was one and a half year. Vitamin C in the dose of 1 gm per day was administered in the case group and in the placebo group a sugar tablet was administered by the oral route. Plasma levels of ascorbic acid and its effect on the symptoms and signs of rhinitis were recorded. Results: The mean duration of illness in the patients with allergic rhinitis was 10.15±3.4 years, with 25 patients having duration of less than 10 years, 10 patients were with of illness between 10 to 20 years and 5 having duration more than 20 years. The most common complaint in patients with allergic rhinitis was of nasal obstruction (57.5%). All the patients who showed improvement had increase in plasma ascorbic after the respective treatment but not all the patients showing increase in plasma ascorbic acid post-treatment showed improvement. Conclusions: Vitamin C ameliorates the signs and symptoms of allergic rhinitis by raising the plasma ascorbic acid levels.